3. The item is lightly covered with a thick, sticky, brown goop. (33% chance the PCs will notice the goop if they are not actively checking for abnormalities. The substance is extremely viscous. If left to hang, it will only form droplets and release them once every 1d6 days. The goop smells of anise and some other exotic plant. A successful wisdom check will determine the scent is obscure and requires research. Any M/U above level 6 and adept in potioncraft will reveal the mysterious scent is released after the purification process of an ancient stimulant, Garnstalk. Garnstalk is cultivated above the cloud-line in the Northerly reaches of the DaggerSpine Mountains close to the fertile Korben District of Upper Hene.
The stooped and grizzled adherents of Silas, ugliest of the seven sons of Ukko and Demi-god of Shelter and Health, maintain a monastery in the area where Garnstalk grows. Even with the devotion of the Silan Monks, the plant remains very fickle during the growing season. It's just as likely to lie down and become mulch for its neighbor as it is to yield the single seed used to produce the stimulant.
After harvest, the seeds are shipped down the mountain by an interconnected set of hand-driven gondolas. In certain areas, the seeds drop in elevation as much 1000 ft./minute. At each landing point the seeds are removed from the first gondola, counted, and placed in the second for the next trip down towards the purification houses in the foothills.
Once the seed reaches its final destination, it is alchemically purified and enhanced until it reaches its usable, syrupy form. Then, it is shipped to the local municipalities that house and distribute it to dealers in foreign lands.
Colloquial names 1d6:
1. Daughter of Garn
2. Garn's Window
3. The Sin of Ukko
4. Wee Mind
5. Dal's Better Days
6. Noose
The stimulant is most potent if consumed, but some users also burn the stimulant and inhale the fumes. Each one gram dose lends the imbiber a +1 bonus to STR and DEX checks -1 penalty to INT and WIS checks, and a +2 bonus to initiative and reaction adjustments. At the DMs discretion, each dose has a 2% cumulative chance of causing physically dependency. Combined with a depressant such as wine or ale, the stimulant causes an intensely euphoric and hypnotic state referred to as Endrin's Sleep by the addicts who crave the mixture.
C. Aaron Aldridge 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment